The Regional Transportation District will offer zero-fare service across all bus, rail, FlexRide, Access-a-Ride and Access-on-Demand services on Wednesday, allowing riders to travel at no cost to observe Transit Equity Day and honor civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

The agency is installing commemorative seat signage on buses systemwide to recognize Parks’ legacy in advancing transit equity and highlight inclusion in public transportation. The signs are sized for each bus model and placed to avoid blocking seats.

Transit Equity Day is observed annually on Parks’ birthday to recognize public transit as a civil right and as essential access to jobs, education, health care, and community life.

On Dec. 1, 1955, the 42-year-old seamstress and NAACP activist refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest sparked the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which ended with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling declaring bus segregation unconstitutional.

“Public transportation stands as a cornerstone of equity, connecting individuals to the resources and opportunities that shape their futures. Transit is more than infrastructure — it is a pathway to education, employment, health care, and community engagement that holds room for all,” said Debra A. Johnson, general manager and CEO, in a news release. “RTD recognizes that mobility is fundamental to dignity and self-determination and removes barriers to access. All people deserve the freedom to pursue their aspirations, contribute to civic life, and navigate their communities with independence.”

The observance aligns with national efforts by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which established Transit Equity Day in 2021.

Fares are waived for Access-on-Demand trips but riders are responsible for any amount above the $20 per-trip subsidy. For more on Transit Equity Day and services, visit rtd-denver.com.